HU and AU right here in our shop
An inspector from an officially recognized testing organization comes to us on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You make one trip here instead of two somewhere else.
How inspection day works
You drop the car off in the morning and pick it up in the afternoon with the sticker.
Appointment
Call or use the form. We’ll give you the next Tuesday or Thursday that still has a slot.
Pre-check
Beforehand, we go through the points where cars fail most often.
Inspection
The inspector checks the vehicle. The AU is part of it and gets done at the same time.
Pickup
Sticker on the rear plate, report in your hand, done.
What we check beforehand
The pre-check costs nothing if your inspection is done here. It heads off most nasty surprises.
Lights
The most common reason for a defect report. A bulb costs a few euros, a re-inspection a lot more.
Brakes
Pads, discs, lines and braking power. Up on the lift we can see whether it’s fine or getting close.
Tires and tread
The law requires a minimum tread depth of 1.6 millimeters. We measure and tell you honestly whether it’ll still pass.
Leaks
Oil on the engine or damp shock absorbers regularly lead to defects. On the lift you see that right away.
Axle and steering
Tie rod ends, boots, ball joints, rust on load-bearing parts. All things you can find beforehand.
Equipment
First aid kit that’s still in date, warning triangle, safety vest. Sounds trivial, but it catches out hundreds of people every year.
What to bring
- Registration certificate Part I, what used to be the Fahrzeugschein
- Your last inspection report, if you still have it
- For a gas (LPG) system, the certificate from the gas system check
- For modifications or accessories, the related papers and expert reports
- The key and a bit of time, in case we fix something right away
What does the HU cost?
The inspection fee is set by the testing organization, not by the workshop. We pass it on to you unchanged.
HU with AU
The emissions test (AU) is part of the inspection and gets done at the same time.
Re-inspection
Only the point that was flagged gets checked, not the whole vehicle.
Pre-check
Any repairs that come up, we discuss with you first.
Sample figures for this demo site. Ask for the current amount when you book, as it varies by testing organization and federal state.
When your car is due
The sticker on your rear plate tells you. The year is in the middle, and the number right at the top is the month.
- Cars every 24 months
- Brand-new cars get their first inspection after 36 months
- The emissions test is part of the HU, not a separate appointment
- You can go early, and the new period then starts from the month of the inspection
And if you’re overdue?
It happens more often than you’d think, and it gets more unpleasant every month.
- Once you’re two months overdue, the inspection is extended and costs more
- If you get stopped, you may have to pay a fine
- If you’re well overdue, you also get a point in the driver fitness register
- If there’s damage, an expired HU can lead to arguments with your insurer
If defects are found
Not every defect costs you the sticker. It depends on how it’s rated.
Minor defects
You still get the sticker. But you should have the issue fixed soon. We usually do it right afterwards.
Major defects
No sticker. You have one month for the re-inspection. If we do the repair, the re-check happens right here.
Unsafe to drive
The vehicle can’t be driven like this. Then we talk right away about what’s possible and what it costs.
Common questions about the HU
Do I need to wash the car first?
Not the outside. But the engine bay and the underbody shouldn’t be caked in dirt, or the inspector can’t see leaks, and if in doubt that counts as a defect.
How long does it take?
The inspection itself takes about half an hour. Set aside the morning, then we can fix small things straight away.
Can I wait while it’s done?
Yes, there’s a waiting room with coffee. If you’d rather drive, you can have a courtesy car on request.
Do I get the sticker even if you don’t do the repairs?
You don’t have to have the repairs done here. We tell you what needs doing, and you decide who does it.
What about the emissions test?
The AU has been part of the vehicle inspection for years. You don’t need a separate appointment for it and you don’t pay for it twice.
And if my car fails?
Then you get a defect report with a clear list. We work out the repair cost for you and you decide. The re-inspection is much cheaper than a full HU.
Do you also do the HU for trailers or motorhomes?
Trailers up to 3.5 tonnes and compact motorhomes, yes. For large vehicles please ask first, it depends on the lift. Give us a quick call